Matt Gaetz withdraws his name as Trump's nominee for attorney general
WASHINGTON – Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., withdrew his nomination to be President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general Thursday amid continuing allegations of sexual misconduct.
"It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition," Gaetz wrote on Thursday in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General."
The GOP will control the U.S. Senate 53-47 next year, but it became apparent there were not enough Republicans willing to support Gaetz's controversial bid to become the country's top law enforcement official.
More: A new era in American politics: When sexual misconduct allegations are overlooked
Gaetz said he had "excellent meetings" with senators Wednesday and said the "momentum was strong" for his candidacy. But Gaetz's nomination to lead the Justice Department was marred by allegations of sex with a minor and drug use.
Asked about Gaetz's withdrawal, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters: "I think that was appropriate."
Gaetz's nomination, eight days from announcement to withdrawal, was the third-shortest in history. Only two others – Linda Chavez, nominated by former President George W. Bush for labor secretary in 2001, and Henry Dearborn, nominated by President James Madison for secretary of war in 1815 – were shorter.
'Straight to the bottom'
Several Republican senators publicly noted Gaetz would have had a tough road to confirmation. Even more expressed concerns behind closed doors.
"The president has the right to make the nominations that he sees fit, but the Senate also has a responsibility for advice and consent," said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., referring to the chamber's constitutional duty in confirming presidential nominees. "In this particular case, I think there was advice offered rather than consent."
More: Documents link Matt Gaetz to $10,000 in Venmo payments to 2 women in House probe: reports
Gaetz and Vice President-elect JD Vance visited with senators on Capitol Hill Wednesday. Former White House lawyer Ty Cobb said it was apparent he didn't have enough support.
"Gaetz kept talking about momentum," he said. "Yeah, there was a lot of momentum, and the momentum was going straight to the bottom of the ocean."
Damaging Testimony
The DOJ – which Gaetz would have led if he became attorney general – investigated allegations Gaetz committed statutory rape by paying for sex with a 17-year-old girl and for her to travel with him across state lines. That probe was dropped without charges.
But the House Ethics Committee, a bipartisan panel equally divided between Democrats and Republicans, was also investigating those and other allegations and had planned to vote on whether to release a report on their findings just two days after Gaetz abruptly resigned his House seat last week.
The House typically does not release findings on former members, though Democrats on the panel had pushed for it to be made public.
A lawyer for two witnesses said his clients testified before the Ethics Committee about the allegations. One said she saw Gaetz allegedly under the influence of drugs and sexually abusing the 17-year-old, though she said she did not think Gaetz knew the girl's age. Gaetz has denied the allegations.
“My clients are relieved to have this chapter behind them and eager to move forward with their lives," said Joel Leppard, the attorney for the two women. "We’re hopeful this brings final closure for all parties involved."
Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social that he appreciated Gaetz's efforts to win over Senate Republicans.
"He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect," Trump wrote.
Karoline Leavitt, spokeswoman for the Trump transition team, told USA TODAY in a statement that Trump "remains committed to choosing a leader for the Department of Justice who will strongly defend the Constitution and end the weaponization of our justice system."
More: Who is Matt Gaetz's wife, Ginger Luckey Gaetz?
Who's next for attorney general?
It's unclear who Trump will choose to replace Gaetz as his pick for attorney general.
GOP Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, former intelligence official Kash Patel, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and defense lawyer Todd Blanche have all been named as potential alternatives. Trump already named Blanche as deputy attorney general.
Republican senators have been hounded over Gaetz's nomination since Trump announced he planned to appoint him last week, while Democrats argued he was a dangerous pick to lead the nation's top law enforcement agency.
"I think this nomination was so colossally doomed and such catastrophically bad judgment," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who serves on the Senate Judiciary committee. "Now the question is, how many others are going to have to withdraw as well? And there will be others to withdraw, make no mistake."
Other Trump Cabinet nominees have also faced backlash, though none as strong as Gaetz. Trump's pick for Defense Secretary, Fox News host Pete Hegseth, also has been accused of sexual assault.
It's unclear whether Gaetz, who was reelected, can retake his spot in the House in January when his next term was set to begin. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he was already beginning the process of setting up a special election to fill Gaetz's seat, though Gaetz could run again in that election.
Zac Anderson and Joey Garrison contributed.
This is a developing story.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matt Gaetz withdraws from consideration to be Trump's attorney general